Process for reforming naphthas with novel chyrsotile catalyst compositions

ABSTRACT

A process for reforming hydrocarbon feeds, e.g., at temperatures ranging from about 400*C. to about 550*C. Hydrocarbon feeds are contacted at reforming conditions with novel forms of chrysotile catalysts, in flake or tubular forms, particularly high surface area forms of these materials.

United States Patent Robson July 8, 1975 PROCESS FOR REFORMING NAPHTHAS [56] References Cited WITH NOVEL CHYRSOTILE CATALYST UNITED STATES PATENTS COMPOSITIONS 2,109,866 3/1938 Moscr 208/134 Inventor: Harry E. Robson, Baton Rouge, La.

Filed: Aug. 24, 1973 Appl. No.: 391,352

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser, No. 233,368, March 9, 1972, Pat. No. 3,804,741, which is a division of Ser. No. 68,324, Aug. 31, 1970, Pat, No. 3,729,429.

us. on. 208/138; 208/135; 208/136 Int. Cl C10g 35/06 Field of Search 208/135, 138; 252/449,

Primary Examiner-Delbert E. Gantz Assistant Examiner-James W. Hellwege Attorney, Agent, or FirmL. A. Proctor [5 7] ABSTRACT A process for reforming hydrocarbon feeds, e.g., at temperatures ranging from about 400C. to about 550C. Hydrocarbon feeds are contacted at reforming conditions with novel forms of chrysotile catalysts, in flake or tubular forms, particularly high surface area forms of these materials.

33 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure HWEHTEUJUL 8 ms CHRYSOTILE SYNTHESIS AT 250C.

IOO

ua o/sio PROCESS FOR REFORMING NAPHTHAS WITH NOVEL CHYRSOTILE CATALYST COMPOSITIONS This is a division of application Ser. No. 233,368 filed Mar. 9. 1972. now US. Pat. No. 3,804,74l, which in turn is a division of Ser. No. 68,324 filed Aug. 3i, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,729,429.

Certain forms of layered complex metal silicates are formed of sheets of paired layers of Si O or serpentine. fused together with layers of metal chemically combined with hydroxyl ions. lllustrative of such naturally occurring materials which have common morphological and structural characteristics are chrysotile, MgaoH Si O garnierite, Ni (OH) Si O metahalloysite, Al (OH) Si O and kaolinite, Al (OH) Si O Synthetic complex metal silicates of this character have been formed, these materials generally retaining their high stability while having a higher degree of dispersability. purity and homogeneity than those products found in nature. These synthetic materials, particularly the pure materials, are thus useful as filtering mediums, absorbents, fillers and the like. Because of their high stability to heat, they are also useful in the production of high temperature or flame resistant fabrics, and can be used in woven and nonwoven fabrics.

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring complex metal silicate of this character. The term, commonly used to identify a material of a fibrous textile nature capable of being woven into a fabric, is more specifically used to identify a variety of serpentines called chrysotile, ideally Mg (OH) Si-,O supra, a species of layered complex metal silicate. Though the structure can differ in chemical composition to some extent due to the presence of impurities, this naturally-occurring material as other forms of chrysotile is a serpentine of type formed of sheets of paired layers of Si O fused together with layers of metal, in this instance magnesium, chemically combined with hydroxyl ions. Investigations have been made of the properties of these forms of complex metal silicates, and it has been reported, e.g., that natural chrysotile has the configuration of hollow tubes or cylindrical fibrils with an average outer diameter of 200 to 250 A (Angstrom units) and an average inner diameter of to 50 A. As reported in the Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Second Edition, Volume 2, p. 738 (lnterscience Publishers), naturally-occurring chrysotiles typically have surface areas varying from 4 to l2 square meters per gram (m /g) though by additional fibrilization the surface areas can be increased to 30 to 50 m lg. Noll et al have reported [(Kolloid- Zeitschrift, Volume 157 [1], pages 1 to ll)] that synthetic chrysotile. Mg;,(OH ,si o can be prepared having surface areas ranging as high as 110 m /g (BET Method). Noll et al have also reported [Beitrage zur Mineralogie und Petrographie, Volume 7, 1960, pages 232-241 synthetic nickel and cobalt substituted forms of chrysotileviz., garnierite, Ni (OH) Si O and C0 (OH) Si O,=,with surface areas ranging as high as 125 m lg and 190 m /g (BET Method), respectively. Little has been reported in regard to other forms of chrysotile.

Chrysotiles have in the past been used as support materials. or carriers, for oxidation catalysts such as platinum supported on natural chrysotile for use in the conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide. Despite the apparent advantages offered by the extremely high thermal stability of this class of complex metal silicate,

these materials, insofar as is shown, have never been used except as catalyst supports. A reason for this, perhaps, is because, in their natural state, little if any cata lytic activity is shown. Moreover, though purer and more catalytically interesting forms have been prepared synthetically over many years, these materials yet remain little more than a matter of academic interest. Perhaps this is due in part to the extreme difficulty of preparing even minute amounts of these materials for experimentation.

Until now, synthesis of layered complex metal silicates, highly preferred of which are the chrysotiles, has only been possible under hydrothermal conditions at relatively high temperatures and extreme pressures. Generally, temperatures on the order of 350C. to 600C, and higher, and pressures on the order of 13,000 psi (pounds per square inch absolute) to 23,000 psi, and higher, have been employed to produce these materials. Such extreme conditions, of course, are not conducive to commercial or large-scale operations, and though the purity and quality of these materials over the natural products have been improved to provide some advantages, the properties nonetheless did not appear of particular interest for use of these materials as catalysts. In large part, this is probably due to the relatively limited number of interesting specimens found in nature, the only major source of supply, to the low surface areas observed in the naturally-occurring forms of these materials, and to the only relatively modest gains made in synthesis even of the few of these materials which have been synthetically produced.

Nonetheless, it is the primary objective of the present invention to obviate these and other prior art difficulties.

A particular object is to provide a new and improved process for production of these layered complex metal silicates, or silicates formed of sheets of paired layers of Si O or serpentine, fused together with layers of certain types of metal, or metals, chemically combined with hydroxyl ions.

A specific object is to provide such process which can be operated at low severity conditions, i.e., at temperatures and pressures considerably lower than heretofore possible, which process is capable of producing complex metal silicates resembling, or closely resembling, the chemical or physical composition, or both, of those found in nature as well as a spectrum of new and novel complex metal silicates which differ in chemical or physical composition, or both, from those found in nature.

Another object is to provide complex metal silicate and chrysotile compositions which differ in one or more of their chemical or physical characteristics, or both, from those compositions found in nature, or heretofore synthetically produced.

A further object is to provide complex metal silicates and chrysotiles which differ in one or more of their chemical or physical characteristics, or both, for direct or indirect use as catalysts, or catalytic agents, for use in hydrocarbon conversion reactions.

In addition to the many known usages of the layered complex metal silicon, supra, and the advantages offered by synthesis of these materials with greater adsorption and absorption capacities, and in high purity state, the present compositions can be used directly or modified by known techniques for use in hydrocarbon conversion reactions for improving the octane number of gasoline or converting relatively heavy hydrocarbons to light, lower boiling hydrocarbons, and including converting hydrocarbons by hydrogenation or dehydrogenation to saturate or unsaturate, in whole or in part, various species of molecular hydrocarbons. Among such hydrocarbon conversion processes are aromatization, isomerization, hydroisomerization, cracking, hydrocracking, polymerization, alkylation, dealkylation, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, desulfurization, deni trogenation, and reforming.

It has now been found that layered complex metal silicates, particularly chrysotiles of shape ranging from very thick wall tubes (substantially rods in character) through moderately thick wall tubes, thick wall tubes through thin wall tubes, and thin wall tubes through flakes can be synthetically prepared from soluble forms of silica, and certain metals or their oxides and hydroxides in alkaline medium, in critical concentration, at moderate temperatures and pressures. The layered complex metal silicates, including chrysotiles, formed in accordance with the present inventive process, and certain of the high surface area compositions of the present invention, are of crystalline structure defined chemically by repeating units represented by the following structural formula:

where M and M are selected from monovalent and multivalent metal cations, of valence ranging from 1 to 7, having an effective ionic radius [Goldschmidt radius, Effective Radii of Atoms and lons from Crystal Structure, Page 108, Langes Handbook of Chemistry, Tenth Edition, Handbook Publishers, Inc., Sandusky, Ohio] ranging from about 0.5 to about 1 A, and preferably from about 0.57 to about 0.91 A, x is a number ranging from to 1, this number expressing the atomic fraction of the metal s M and M, a is the valence of M, b is the valence of M, n is a number equal in value to that defined by the ratio 6/[a( l-x) bx], and w is a number ranging from O to 4. Some species of these complex metal silicates have been found to exist in nature, and some species have been synthetically produced. Some species differ chemically from those found in nature, or those heretofore synthetically produced, and others, though chemically similar, possess different physical properties.

illustrative of this type of complex silicate, in any event, is the form of serpentine known as chrysotile, the dehydrated form of which has the idealized structural formula Mga(Ol-l) Si O The formula is idealized in the sense that chrysotiles, as other minerals, rarely, if ever, appear in nature in pure form but contain very small amounts of impurities such as iron, aluminum, and the like, substituted for magnesium, and occasionally for silicon. Chrysotile is a mineral derived from multiple layers of Si O or serpentine, condensed with Mg( OH),, or brucite layers, this material existing in nature as cylindrical shaped rods or thick tubes. The naturally-occurring mineral antigorite is also illustrative of such complex silicate having the idealized formula Mg3(0H Si O In nature, this material is also constituted of Si O or serpentine, condensed with layers of Mg(Ol-ih, or brucite. This material, however, is found in nature in the form of plates of undulating shape. Ortho serpentine, Mg (OH) Si O a six-layer serpentine, is also found in nature, as is lizardite, Mg (Ol-l)- Si O which is a one-layer serpentine. Both of these materials are found in the form of plates. Garnierite, a nickel substituted form of layered complex silicate, Ni (OH) Si O is found in nature in the form of tubes. Synthetic garnierite has also been prepared by prior art workers, nickel having been substituted for magnesium in conventional synthetic chrysotile formulations. Cobalt chrysotile, Co -,(OH) Si O has been prepared in similar manner. Insofar as known, however, attempts to prepare other useful forms of synthetic chrysotiles have failed.

The process of this invention can be employed not only to produce complex metal silicates of known chemical composition, but also complex metal silicates of new and novel chemical composition. It can also be used to produce both old and new chemical compositions with new, different, and unique physical properties, particularly as regards high surface area compositions.

Chrysotiles of known chemical composition are thus included in the foregoing formula (I), but even these compositions can be produced with entirely different physical properties, especially as regards surface areas. Essentially pure forms of chrysotile, defined in the foregoing formula as those species wherein x does not exceed about 0.03 and preferably about 0.01, are thus magnesium chrysotile, Mg3(OH),Si O with surface areas of above about mlg, nickel chrysotile, Ni (OH) Si O with surface areas of above about m /g, and cobalt chrysotile, Co (OH) Si O with surface areas above about 190 m /g, the maximum surface areas achieved by prior art practice, can thus be produced pursuant to the practice of this invention. Other forms of chrysotile, included within the scope of this formula, can also be produced pursuant to this invention but with surface areas exceeding 110 mfg, the maximum surface area heretofore achieved by prior practice (exclusive of the nickel and cobalt chrysotile species). Preferred forms of these high surface area species are those in the form of thin wall tubes of surface area ranging about l50 mlg to about 250 m /g, preferably from about mlg to about 200 m lg, and those in the form of thin flakes of surface area ranging from about 250 m /g to about 600 m /g, and higher, preferably from about 250 m lg to about 450 m /g.

Pursuant to the practice of the present process, compositions can be prepared which differ in their chemical structure from heretofore existing compositions in that they contain two or more metals in significant concentration within the crystalline structure, and include, particularly, such compositions of high surface areas. These new compositions are of crystalline structure de' fined by repeating units represented by the following structural formula:

[ 1 mm" 1WD (cameo, wH,o

wherein M and M are metal cations having an effective ionic radius (Goldschmidt) ranging from about 0.5 to about l A, a expresses the vale nce of M and is equal to 2, b expresses the valence of M and is an integer ranging from 1 to 7, and preferably is an integer ranging from 2 to 4, x is a number ranging from 0.0l to 0.50, preferably from 0.03 to 0.20, and n is a number ranging from 2.5 to 3.3, and preferably from 2.7 to 3.0, w is a number ranging from to 4. Exemplary of such compounds are (0.2 Ni +0.8 Mg) (OH).,Si O wH O; (0.1 A1 0.9 Mg) (OH),Si O wH O; (0.05 W 0.95 NO (OH) ,Si O M1 0; and (0.] Li 0.9 g)3.16( la z s 2 In these formulae, M and M can thus be the same or different metals, and these can be of the same or different valence. The complex metal silicates can thus contain essentially one metal, or can contain two or more different metals in varying concentrations. In formula (I) M and M can be monovalent or multivalent metals of valence ranging from l to 7, while i n formula (II) M is a divalent metal. The valence of M can range from 1 to 7. M of the formulae can also represent more than one monovalent or multivalent metal, though substantially bimetallic compositions are generally preferred. The cationic form of the metal of the crystal must have an effective ionic radius substantially within the ranges described. Illustrative of metals utilized in acceptable cationic form, which can be selected from the Periodic Table of the Elements (E. H. Sargent & Company, copyright 1962 Dyna Slide Co.), are Group [A metals such as lithium, Group [B metals such as copper, Group 11A metals such as magnesium, Group [18 metals such as zinc, Group 111B metals such as scandium, Group 111A metals such as aluminum and gallium, Group [VB metals such as titanium and zirconium, Group VB metals such as vanadium, Group VlB metals such as chromium, molybdenum and tungsten, Group VllB metals such as manganese and Group V111 metals such as iron, cobalt, nickel, palladium and platinum.

Preferred metals from these classes are magnesium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, palladium, platinum and aluminum. Magnesium is preferred because of the relative ease of formation of the complex magnesium silicates which are useful as catalysts, and such silicates are quite useful as support materials. Pursuant to the process of this invention, other complex metal silicates are formed by substitution of other metal ions for the magnesium. Nickel and cobalt are also preferred metals with known catalytic properties, and can be readily substituted for magnesium, in whole or in part, to provide highly active hydrogenation components in formation of fuels processing catalysts. Chromium is found highly suitable for formation of other complex metal silicates of the type herein described, and can be used to produce aromatization catalysts of good quality for use in fuels processes. Molybdenum is found useful, especially for the production of hydrodesulfurization and reforming catalysts. Tungsten and palladium are useful for formation of hydrocracking catalysts. Platinum is useful in forming reforming catalysts and aluminum for use in the production of catalytic cracking catalysts. In general, the synthetic chrysotiles of this invention provide a means of maintaining a metal in dispersed form on a silica surface to provide greater activity, this being contrasted with the addition of metals to such preformed support materials which leaves something to be desired in maintaining this high state of dispersion.

Complex metal silicates of these types can be synthetically prepared in hydrated form in very high yields from solution or gels, and then converted to dehydrated form by subjection to heat, as desired. The complex metal silicates are prepared by reacting a metal cation source with a silica source in proportions approximating the stoichiometric complex metal silicate composition, in an alkaline medium of pH ranging from about 10, and higher, and preferably at pH ranging from about 12 to about 14, at moderate temperatures and pressures. Suitably, the reaction is conducted at temperatures ranging below 300C, preferably at temperatures ranging from about 200C. to about 275C. Lower temperatures can be used but the reaction proceeds quite slowly. Pressures in many systems are suitably autogeneous, i.e., maintained at the vapor pressure of the liquid solvent at the temperature of operation. This is especially true of aqueous medium, these mediums being especially preferred. Pressures as high as 12,000 psi, and higher, can be employed, but generally it is commercially unfeasible to operate at pressures above about 1000 psi. Preferably, pressures ranging from about 200 psi to about 1000 psi, and more preferably pressures ranging from about 400 psi to about 800 psi are maintained upon the reaction system. Reaction time ranges generally from about 0.5 to about 72 hours, and preferably from about 4 to about 24 hours.

The compositions of the present invention encompass: (a) layered complex metal silicates defined by Formula (1) where the surface area of the composition ranges above about 1 10 m /g, except as regards nickel chrysotile, Ni (OH),Si- O and cobalt chrysotile, C0 (OH) Si O but encompasses these latter species wherein the surface areas range above about m lg and mlg (BET Method), respectively; and (b) laycred complex metal silicates defined by Formula (II), the higher surface are compositions being especially preferred. The most preferred compositions of the present invention, because they are admirably suitable for direct or indirect use as hydrocarbon conversion catalysts or catalyst supports, are the chrysotiles. For purposes of this invention, chrysotiles are those compositions defined in Formula (I) and Formula (ll) wherein the Si O or serpentine layers of the repeating unit which form the crystals, are of smaller length or diam eter than the associated metal hydroxide layers to which the serpentine layers are adjoined. This characteristic structure is distinguishable from other layered complex metal silicates, and other crystalline substances, by X-ray diffraction patterns whether the crystal structures exist as tubes or flakes.

X-ray powder diffraction data for the two physically different forms of chrysotile are as given below:

X-Ray Diffraction Patterns for Chrysotile In obtaining the X-ray powder diffraction pattern, standard procedures were employed. The radiation source was the K-alpha doublet for copper. A Geiger counter spectrometer with a strip chart pen recorder was used in recording the data. The peak heights 1, and the positions as a function of 2 6, where 6 is the Bragg angle, were read from the spectrometer chart. From these, the relative intensities I were observed. Also, the interplanar spacing, d, in Angstrom units, corresponding to the recorded lines, were determined by reference to standard tables. In the above table, the more significant interplanar spacings, i.e., d values, for chrysotile tubes and flakc s, respectively, are given. The relative intensities of the lines are expressed as s (strong), m (medium) and w (weak).

In chrysotile it is thus known that the mineral is formed of paired serpentine and brucite layers which do not match, and hence the crystal is strained. Consequently, this gives rise to different physical forms and shapes inasmuch as relief from the strain is gained by a curl of the crystal along its long axis so that chrysotile exists in nature as cylindrical shaped rods or thick 1 tubes. The thick wall tubular structure has been observed in synthetic forms of chrysotile. In the present process, the complex metal silicates are also formed as thick wall tubes, thin wall tubes, curls or flakes, as desired, from gels as paired layers of different sizes. Layers of silicon-oxygen sheets are combined with layers of hydroxyl groups cemented to the silicon-oxygen sheets by metal cations. Each of the repeating units, considering for convenience the anhydrous form, is thus formed of a layer of serpentine, or Si O and an adjacent larger sized layer of met a l chemically combined with hydroxyl ions, or [(1 x)M xM),,(OH to which the former is fused. The paired, fused metal-hydroxyl ions and serpentine layers are held together by very strong forces of attraction, while the repeating units of paired layers per se are held together by weaker forces of attraction. A serpentine or Si O layer is formed of a sheet of linked SiO, tetrahedra, three oxygen atoms of each SiO, being shared with adjacent SiO tetrahedra in the same layer. The vertices of all the tetrahedra point in the same direction, or outwardly, for a rod or tube SIIUCBII'B. In the metal-hydroxyl layer or [(1 x)M" xM],,(OH)., layer, one-third of the oxygen atoms are oxygen ions which are shared with silica tetrahedra of the adjacent serpentine or Si 0 layer. The remaining oxygen atoms are hydroxyl groups, and these are associated only with M or M cations. Thus, the M or FIT cations are surrounded by six ions, four hydroxyl groups, or ions, and two oxygen ions in a case where the metal is a divalent cation such as magnesium.

These forms of layered complex metal silicates can thus be logically considered as chrysotiles, or substituted chrysotiles, since they possess the chrysotile structure; and have been so characterized in the art in th forms known to exist-via, as chrysotile, or magnesium chrysotile, Mga(OH),Si O as nickel chrysotile, Ni (OH) Si O and as cobalt chrysotile, Co;,(OH)- S50 Using the Pauling notation, a repeating unit of the crystalline structure comprising five tiers of ions (I through 5) can be conveniently illustrated as follows:

Tier 1 is constituted entirely of oxygen ions. Tier 2, constituting the tetrahedral cation position, is essentially constituted of silicon ions. Tier 3 is constituted of both oxygen and hydroxyl ions--viz., two oxygen ions and a hydroxyl ion. Tier 4, which constitutes the octahedral cation position, is constitt ted of a monovalent or multivalent metal cation M or M. This is the primary cation site for substitution of the various metals represented by M and KA into the chrysotile structure. Where only magnesium is contained in the octahedral cation position, the chemical structure is that of chrysotile; and where nickel or cobalt is wholly substituted for magnesium, the chemical structure is also that heretofore produced synthetically and known as nickel chrysotile (or garnierite) and cobalt chrysotile. Tier 5 is constituted entirely of hydroxyl ions. The serpentine or Si O layer is constituted of those tiers of ions ranging from 1 through 3, and the metal-hydroxyl ion layer is constituted of those tiers of ions ranging from 3 through 5. Two of the ions of Tier 3 are shared between the serpentine layer and the metal-hydroxyl ion layer, while the third ion is more identifiable with the metal-hydroxyl ion layer. In the repeating unit Tier I contains 3 oxygen atoms, Tier 2 contains 2 silicon atoms, Tier 3 contains 2 oxygen atoms and 1 hydroxyl ion, Tier 4 contains 3 magnesium ions and Tier 5 contains 3 hydroxyl ions. While it is not apparent from accepted Pauling notation, the two layers are not of the same dimension, the metal-hydroxyl ion layer being of greater length than the serpentine layer so that there is a misfit of the two layers, and hence a strain between the paired layers which form a repeating unit.

The metal-hydroxyl ion layer of a repeating unit is of greater area (and length at least in one dimension) than an adjoining serpentine layer, the misfit between the two layers producing a stress-strain relationship which causes the layers to curve in a direction such that the concave side of the metal-hydroxyl ion layer adjoins the convex side of the serpentine layer. When the chrysotile is in tubular shape, this means that the structure is of coil shape, or formed of a series of concentriclike paired layers of the repeating units and the serpentine layer is the smaller diameter member of the paired layers.

The misfit between the paired layers in conjunction with the pH of the reaction medium at the time the crystals are formed is believed to give rise, at least in part, to the present inventive process. Pursuant to the practice of the present inventive process, in any event, it has been found that a definite relationship exists between the pH of the alkaline medium and the nature and physical form of the crystalline materials which are formed, as well as with respect to the temperature and pressure at which the reactions can be conducted. By conducting the reactions at a pH of above about 10, and preferably at from about 12 to 14, it has been found that the reactions can be conducted at considerably lower temperatures and pressures than heretofore believed possible. This not only makes large scale commercial operation feasible but, additionally, provides a means of produce quality control. It has thus been found that pH can be used to provide complex metal silicates of the types described in physical forms and shapes ranging generally from cylindrical shaped rods through thick wall tubes, from thick wall tubes through thin wall tubes, and from thin wall tubes through flakes.

On the one hand, where the chemical species is known to exist, some of the physical forms are found in nature, or have heretofore been synthetically produced. Others differ physically from the natural forms, or forms heretofore synthetically produced. On the other hand, some of these materials are chemically as well as physically different forms. For example. chrysotile, Mg (OH)- Si O is found in nature in the form of rods and thick wall tubes of low surface area. This material has also been heretofore produced synthetically as thick wall tubes with maximum surface area of 110 m /g. Thin wall tubes of higher surface areas are unknown. Other minerals having the same chemical structure as chrysotile are known to exist in nature, e.g., antigorite. It exists in nature as platelets of undulating shape, and generally possesses a very low surface area. Garnierite, Ni (OH),Si O and a cobalt form of chrysotile, Co (OH ,Si O have been synthetically produced, but as specimens of surface area ranging as high as 125 m /g and 190 m lg, respectively.

A feature of this process is that by judicious selection of pH, surface areas can be improved considerably, generally at least two-fold and ranging as high as almost ten-fold over the corresponding natural products where they exist. The surface areas of these materials can thus be controlled within conventional ranges, e.g., in the case of magnesium chrysotile up to about l l m lg, or can be increased above 1 l0 m lg. Preferably, tubes can be formed which have surface areas within the range of from about 150 m /g to about 250 m /g, and higher, and more preferably within the range of from about 160 m /g to about 200 m lg (B.E.T. method; absorption of N at its normal boiling point). Preferably, flakes can be formed with surface areas ranging from about 250 m /g to about 600 m lg, and more preferably from about 250 m /g to about 450 m lg. The nickel form of chrysotile, Ni (OH).,Si O and the cobalt form of chrysotile, Co (OH) Si O in the form of tubes and flakes, can be produced with surface areas greater than 125 m /g and l90 m lg, respectively, and preferably within the higher range of limits described. It is found that at different pH levels the character of the crystals can be controlled in that a given chemical specimen can be formed in the shape of rods, thick wall tubes, curls or thin flakes and that surface areas can be controlled during the transition, surface area increasing as pH is lowered to favor, directionally, the production of rods through the thick wall tubes, thick wall tubes through thin wall tubes, and thin wall tubes through flakes.

In general, in the formation of a species of chrysotiles at controlled conditions, as pH is lowered the tube walls get thinner, and the thin wall tubes generally yield surface areas no greater than about 200 m /g to about 250 m /g. As pH is further lowered to obtain higher surface areas, the thin wall tubes form curls (or malformed tubes), and then break apart and form higher surface area flakes, the walls of which, directionally, also become thinner as pH is lowered. Thus, at constant temperature and pressure, specimens of definite character are formed at a selected pH. The actual transition points vary to some extent dependent largely upon the nature of the metal, or metals, used in formation of the complex metal silicate. The thickness of the walls of the tubes can be directly controlled by the selected pH. Thin wall tubes of only a few paired layers, e.g., 4 to 8 in thickness, can be formed. Such tubes ranging from about 20 A to about A, and preferably from about 28 A to about 45 A, in thickness provide tubes of far greater inside diameter than occurs in the corresponding natural products, providing for greater adsorption space and accessibility for catalytic contact by reactant materials upon catalytic surfaces. For example, in sharp contrast to naturally-occurring magnesium chrysotile which exists in a cylindrical or rod-like form or in a thick wall tubular form having an inner diameter ranging from about 20 A to 50 A, high surface area chrysotile compositions of this invention exists as tubes having inner diameters above 50 A, preferably from about 60 A to about lOO A, and higher. The accessibility and high concentration of large pore openings which exist in these materials are quite important in considering the availability of surface areas for catalytic purposes. At surface areas above about 250 m /g the chrysotile compositions of this invention are usually formed as relatively thin flakes. The thin flakes, because of their ultra-high surface areas, are the most preferred compositions for use in most hydrocarbon conversion reaction.

As suggested, as the pH is further decreased, at the selected conditions, the tubes begin to curl and then break apart to form thin flakes of very high surface area. The flakes range in thickness from about 15 to about 50 A, and preferably from about 20 to about 30 A.

It is feasible, at these low severity process conditions, to synthesize new and novel complex metal silicates from solutions containing reactive silicates, and reactive forms of the desired metal, e.g., soluble salts, or oxides and hydroxides. The reactants are combined in alkaline medium at moderate temperature and pressure. The complex metal silicates are formed in two steps. In a first step, a synthesis gel is formed by coprecipitation of the metal oxides or hydroxides with hydrous silica gel in alkaline medium. In a second step, the gel is heated at from about 200C. to about 350C. and preferably from about 250C. to about 275C., so that the chrysotile product is crystallized from the synthesis gel with rejection of excess water and soluble salts which are removed by filtration and washing. At the time of formation of the synthesis gel, the composition of the metal hydroxide layer of the crystal is fixed by selecting the concentration of metals to vary the ratios of M/ITI, as desired. The structures are useful as catalysts, or can be further modified after initial formation, as ddesired, by cation exchange, as with ammonia and selected metal cations, or by impregnation with metal anions or cations, or both, or by a combination of ion exchange and impregnation.

The process improvements whereby previously existing or naturally-occurring complex metal silicates, as well as new and novel forms of complex metal silicates, can be made is effected by the use of highly alkaline mediums, of critical pH. High alkalinity causes the reaction to proceed at substantially milder conditions than heretofore believed possible. This favorable ef feet, which makes it generally unnecessary to conduct the reactions at the higher conventional temperatures and pressure, is not completely understood. The highly alkaline medium is employed to cause breakage of the silicon oxygen bonds, or depolymerization of the SiO: components, so that the latter become more freely mi gratory within the solution or gel even at relatively low temperatures and pressures. In any event, it is found that alkali concentration can be varied, as desired, in the reaction system to provide a variety of complex metal silicates, some resembling products heretofore found in nature or produced by other synthesis techniques, either in their chemical or physical characteristics, or both, and many products heretofore unknown as regards either their chemical or physical characteristics, or both.

The nature of the reaction by virtue of which pH can be used to control the physical forms of the chrysotiles produced is thus not entirely understood, but it would appear that the strain produced by the misfit of the unequal sized serpentine, Si O and the larger metalhydroxyl ion layers is in part responsible for this phenomenon. Thus, at the selected low severity conditions, the strain is greatest on the layers fartherest away from the equilibrium diameter. At a given intermediate pH, crystals assume the form of thin wall multilayer structures of only a few layers thickness. These crystals are of high surface area and possess relatively large internal openings. At higher pH, the walls are thick, or the structure is even rod-like. At lower pH, the strain between the paired layers causes the tube to break apart to form high surface area, thin flakes. The use, or substitution, of metal cations of different size into the octahedral cation position, which is believed to be the primary cation site for substitutions, thus further alters the stress-strain relationship between the forming crystals. Hence, it would not be expected that a single set of parameters could be used to define the transition points, or zones, for the crystals of all of the different metals which can be substituted at the primary cation sites. It is found generally, however, that cations which most closely approach in size the effective ioic radius of magnesium are most readily subustituted, and in higher concentration. it also appears that the size of thet larger metal hydroxide layer of a crystal structure is directly related to the size of the cation substituted for magnesium and hence the stress-strain relationship altered so as to effect the curvature of the structure caused by the misfit between the larger metal hydroxide layer and the adjacent smaller serpentine layer. Whatever the explanation, however, the technique is admirably suitable for producing whole new families of high surface area crystals, and even families of crystals chemically different from those found in nature, or those heretofore synthetically produced.

Various alkaline materials can be used in the practice of this invention, providing they possess sufficient alkalinity to raise the reaction medium to the necessary pH, do not react to a significant extent with the forming complex metal silicates, with the intermediate materials, precipitate the silica, or decompose to gaseous products. Most preferred of these alkaline materials, for these reasons, are the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxides, exemplary of which are Group [A metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide and the like, and Group "A metal hydroxides such as barium hydroxide, strontium hydroxide and the like. A satisfactory Group lllA metal hydroxide is thallium hydroxide. Various other materials such as tetra alkyl ammonium hydroxides, e.g., tetra methyl ammonium hydroxide, can be employed.

Various sources of silica can be employed in the present process, these including essentially any of the conventional, widely used silica sources such as silica per se, diatomaceous earths, silica hydrogel, silica hydrosol, alkali metal silicates, e.g., sodium silicate, and the like. Particularly preferred sources of silicates are silica sol, silica gel, and sodium silicate solution (water glass).

Virtually any form of compound which is sufficiently soluble and compatible with the reaction mixture, which contains the desired metal, can be used as a source of the metal. Soluble salts of the metals, or mixtures of such salts, e.g., halides, sulfides, sulfates, nitrates, carbonates, acetates, phosphates, or the like, can be used to supply the desired metal, or metals, in formation of the complex metal silicates. Exemplary of such salts are lithium chloride, lithium bromide, cupric chloride, cupric sulfate, magnesium chloride, magnesium bromide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfide, zinc acetate, zinc chloride, zinc bromide, scandium bromide, scandium sulfate, aluminum chloride, aluminum bromide, aluminum acetate, aluminum nitrate, aluminum phosphate, aluminum sulfate, gallium nitrate, gallium sulfate, titanium bromide, titanium trichloride, titanium tetrachloride, titanium oxydichloride, zirconium dibromide, zirconium sulfate, zirconyl bromide, vanadium bromide, vanadium trichloride, vanadyl sulfate, chromic acetate, chromic chloride, chormic nitrate, chromic sulfate, molybdenum oxydibromide, tungsten trisulfide, manganous sulfate, ferric chloride, ferrous chloride, ferrous sulfate, cobaltous nitrate, cobaltous sulfate, nickel chloride, nickel bromide, palladium chloride, palladium sulfate, platinic tetrachloride, and the like. Many hydroxides, oxides, or oxygenated anions of these various metals can also be employed, and these are particularly useful where it is desirable to increase the pH of the solution over and above that practical by a relatively weak base. illustrative of such compounds are magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, sodium tungstate, sodium molybdate, sodium chromate, sodium vanadate and the like. Other metal sources canalso be employed, e.g., chloroplatinic acid, chloropalladous acid and the like.

The relative amounts of the silica and metal sources are most easily determined by the stoichiometry of the desired product, though the use of exact stoichiometric amounts of these materials in a given reaction mixture is unnecessary. Typically, the sources of silica and metal are used in quantities sufficient to provide a reaction mixture having a metal, or mixture of metals (calculated as the oxide or oxides), relative to the silica (calculated as the oxide) in sole ratio ranging from about 1 to about 2, and preferably from about 1.4 to about 1.6.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following data, selected to demonstrate the more salient features of the novel process for preparation of these complex metal silicates, new and novel compositions, and the process of their use in various hydrocarbon conversion reactions.

A first series of runs are presented to demonstrate the manner in which pH can be used to control the production of the complex metal silicates. Chrysotile, Mg (OH) Si O is first selected to illustrate complex metal silicates of chemical type which, though found in nature and heretofore synthetically produced, can be nonetheless produced in new, different, and unique physical forms.

EXAMPLES l-11 In each of the runs tabulated in Table l, the silica source comprises either colloidal silica sol, 150 A particle size, sold under the Dupont tradename as Ludex LS-30, or sodium metasilicate. The silica source is added to an aqueous solution of a suitable magnesium source, i.e., a magnesium salt, in concentration of 50 parts by weight of the salt in 100 parts by weight of water. In order to produce the desired pH, to a solution or gel is then added various amounts of an alkali metal hydroxide, from a solution made up of 60 parts by weight of the alkali metal hydroxide per 100 parts by weight of water, with stirring for about minutes at 25C. and atmospheric pressure. Typically, as is demonstrated, the silica and magnesium sources are used in quantities sufficient to provide a reaction mixture hav ing a MgO/SiO mole ratio ranging from about 1.0 to about 2.0, but preferably of about 1.5. The pH of the solution ranges from to 14, as determined by the amount of alkali metal hydroxide added.

The resultant mixtures are placed, in separate series of runs, in an autoclave heated at 250C. at pressure of 570 psi. After a period of 24 hours, the resultant insoluble products obtained in high yield, substantially stoichiometric, are cooled, filtered, washed with ten volumes of water to produce low sodium chloride levels, and dried at 120C. in an oven. All specimens are positively identified by X-ray diffraction data as chrysotile.

TABLE I about 2.0. The wall thickness of such crystals thus ranges from about 100 to about A, the internal diameter of the openings from about 30 to about A, and the surface area from about to about m /g. At Na OlSiO ratios between about 2.0 and 1.5, thin wall tubes with internal openings of relatively large diameters and high surface areas are formed. The wall thicknesses of these types of tubes thus range from about 50 to about 30 A, the internal diameter of the tubes from about 60 to about A, and the surface area from about 120 to 250 m /g. Within the range of Na OISiOZ ratios beginning at about 1.5, the thin wall tubes apparently break down to form porous flakes. Thus, at Na O/SiO ratios ranging about 1.5 and lower, thin flakes are formed. Such flakes range in thickness from about 30 to about 20 A, and have surface areas which range from about 250 to about 600 m lg, and higher.

These data show that pH can be controlled to ameliorate process conditions, as well as to optimize the quality of the products. The process also makes it feasible to produce complex mixed metal silicates, as demonstrated by the'following selected data.

EXAMPLE l2 A cobalt substituted chyrostile is prepared in the following manner: 50 parts by weight of Ludox LS-30 SYNTHESIS OF CHRYSOTILE Reaction Mixture Compositions Surface Physical Silica Mg MgO/ Nap} H O/ Area Form of Example Source Source SiO- SiO, SiO mlg Compositions 1 LS-30"" MgCl 1.5 2.5 42 72 Tube 2 LS-30 MgSO, 1.5 2.5 64 92 3 1.5-30 MgCl, 2 2.5 44 73 4 LS-3O MgCl, 1.5 1.5 42 249 5 Meta- MgCl 1.5 2.5 65 93 silicate 6" LS-3O MgCl, 1.5 2.5 44 129 7"" LS-3O MgCl, 1.5 2.5 64 132 8 LS-3O MgCl, 1.5 1.5 42 228 9 LS-3O MgCl, 1.5 1.0 51 468 Flakes IO"" LS-3O MgCl, L5 1.0 51 444 (K,O/ SiO,) 11" LS-30 MgCl, 1,5 1.5 51 467 of Surface Area by Nitrogen Adsorption, Report No. S-98l5R, May 3. I945.

"'Colloidal silica sol l 150 A) particle size sold under the trade name Ludex LSJO" Reaction temperature of 275C. 'Reaction at Z'ISC. for 43 hours. ""KOH used as the alkali metal hydroxide.

A definite relationship is thus found to exist between the pH, or caustic mole ratio, and the surface area of the chrysotile produced. These results, graphically shown by reference to the attached figure, show that exceptionally high chrysotile surface areas are produced when alkali metal hydroxide is used in limited quantity to produce a reaction mixture having an alkali metal oxide-to-silica mole ratio below about 1.75, this corresponding to a pH of about 13.

Referring further to the figure, it is found that longtubular shaped crystals with thick walls, openings of relatively small diameter, and low surface area are produced at Na O/SiO ratios ranging from about 2.5 to

(described above) is added with stirring to a solution containing 9 parts by weight of CoC1 -6H,O, 68.6 parts by weight of MgCl -6H,O and 150 parts by weight of water. A solution consisting of 30 parts by weight of NaOH and 50 parts by weight of water is then added to the aforedescribed mixture and stirred at 25C. and atmospheric pressure for about 5 minutes. The resulting mixture is then placed in an autoclave and heated to 250C. for about 24 hours. The product is then cooled, washed and dried using the procedure given with reference to the foregoing examples. The product recovered, which is in the physical form of tubes, is a substituted chrysotile (identified by X-ray diffraction) having about l0% of the magnesium cations replaced with cobalt cations and having a surface area of about 267 m lg.

EXAMPLES l32l products can be obtained and substantial portions of the oleflnic content of feeds converted into desirable aromatics, without significant conversion to lighter hydrocarbons.

Olefinic hydrocarbons containing from abut 6 to The following series of data, given in Table ll, is illusabout l2 carbon atoms are preferred. and these are trative of additional runs for the preparation of substiaromatized according to the present invention by contuted mixed-metal forms of chrysotiles. All specimens tacting a suitable feedstock with the catalyst at low are positively identified by Xray diffraction data as pressures ranging, i.e., from about atmospheric to chrysotile. about l50 psi, and preferably at from about atmo- TABLE II SUBSTITUTEDD C HRYSOTILES Reaction Mixture Compositiorr Total Reaction Mg Metal Conditions Surface Physical Replaced with Metal Cation Mg cation Hours at Area Form of Ex. Metal Cation Source Source ISiO, Na,O/Si0 H OISiO, 250C. Mlg Compositions i3 Ni NiSO MgSO, 1.5 1.5 58 16 260 Curls & Flakes I4 [00% Ni NiSO, 1.5 1.25 58 24 338 Flakes (Garnicrite) I5 20% Co CoCl,.6l-l,0 MgCl, L5 2.5 52 24 l22 Tubes [6 10% Co CoCl,.6H,O MgCl, 1.5 1.25 63 24 403 Flakes 17 10% Fe FeCl,.6H,O MgCl, 1.5 L5 52 24 398 l8 [0% Mn MnCl,.4H,O MgCl, 1.5 2.5 52 66 88 Tubes 19 10% Cu CuCl,.2H,O MgCl, 1.5 1.5 47 24 3| 1 Flakes 20 10% Cr CrCl .6H,O MgCl, 1.5 2.5 52 65 356 2| [0% Zn ZnCl MgCl, 1.5 2.5 47 24 166 Tubes Molar basis.

The present low severity process makes it quite feasible to produce conventional materials, or entirely new materialsviz., materials which are different chemically or physically, or both-of wide variety suitable as supports or catalysts, or both, on a scale heretofore unknown. The production of chrysotiles is thus now possible at temperatures significantly below those employed heretofore. For example, Nesterchuck et al (Zap Uses Mineralog Obshchestria 95" [[1, 75-9 [1966]) and Roy et al (American Mineralogist 39", 957, 975, H9541) have reported the synthesis of chrysotile at temperatures ranging from about 350 to 600C, at conventional hydrothermal conditions requiring a pressure ranging from about 13,000 psi to about 23,000 psi. In contrast, production of chrysotile at 250C, as described in the foregoing Example 12, requires pressure of only about 570 psi (vapor pressure of water at 250C), and will readily permit the large-scale manufacture of such chrysotiles.

AROMATIZATION Certain of the complex metal silicates can be used per se as catalysts, or can be composited with various materials to form catalysts useful in aromatization of oleinic hydrocarbons, whether straight chain or branched chain, monoolefinic or polyolefinic and whether conjugated or unconjugated. For example, straight chain olefins can be converted to aromatic compounds, e.g., as in the conversion of hexene-l and heptene-l to benzene and toluene, respectively. While such process can be used for the conversion of olefins to aromatics for chemical uses. it is particularly important in petroleum fuels processing. This is so in that olefins have many undesirable properties in motor gasoline and can be converted to aromatics with higher octane number to produce superior gasoline, while simultaneously eliminating materials which contribute to gum formation and air pollution. ln accordance with the present invention, however, higher octane number spheric pressure to about psi. An inert gas, e.g., nitrogen helium, methane, or the like, or hydrogen can be employed. Use of an inert gas offers certain advantages inasmuch as their use forces the reaction to proceed to completion whereas hydrogen is a product of aromatization. However, in certain cases, catalyst deactivation may occur and use of a moderate hydrogen pressure is quite beneifical to prevent catalyst activity decline. Temperatures ranging from about 300C., and preferably from about 450C. to about 600C, are used. High conversion of olefinic hydrocarbons with good selectivity to aromatics are obtained.

In preperation of preferred types of aromatization catalysts a transition metal, or mixture of such metals, is generally composited with a suitable base, as by impregnation of the base or crystallization of the base with a suitable metal hydroxide. The preferred transition metals which are dispersed upon a suitable base are Group Vll metals, illustrative of which is platinum, iridium, palladium, rhohdium and including iron, cobalt and nickel. Group [B metals, preferably as their oxide, such as copper, silver and gold. can also be composited with the Group Vlll metals. Other metals, preferably in the form of their oxides, can be impregnated or otherwise composited, either alone or in combination with the Group Vlll metals as, e.g., Group VlB metal oxides such as chromium, molybdenum and tungsten. Preferred complex metal silicate bases are those chrysotiles formed in whole or in part of magnesium or aluminum, or both. illustrative of such bases are thin wall tubes and flakes of Mg3(OH),Si,O,. Preferably, the surface area of the tubular shapes range from about m lg to about 250 m /g, and flakes range preferably from about 250 m /g to about 500 m lg and higher. Preferred materials of these types also are chrysotiles containing from about 2 to about 10 weight percent aluminum, and a corresponding amount of magnesium as described by Formula ll.

Preferred chrysotiles useful per se as aromatization catalysts are those high surface area forms of thin wall tubes and flakes containing, besides magnesium, about 0.] to 1 weight percent platinum, or from about 1 to 15 weight percent chromium oxide (Cr O or from about 1 to l5 weight percent molybdenum oxide (M00 or from about 1 to weight percent tungsten, as the oxide.

EXAMPLES 22-23 To illustrate useful catalysts for aromatization, a series of selected data are set out below. In one instance, chromia is composited with magnesium chrysotile and, in another, platinum is composited with magnesium chrysotilie to form aromatization catalysts. The chrysotile employed in each instance consists of flakes of 356 m /g, positively identified by X-ray diffraction data.

The chromia-magnesium chrysotile catalyst is prepared by dissolving chromium oxide in water to form an aqueous solution, and then adding same to the powdered magnesium chrysotile in amount sufficient to form paste. The wetted powder is stirred to form a paste, the paste containing 15 weight percent chromium oxide on magnesium chrysotile. The paste is then heated in an oven at 150C. for l6 hours. The dry mass is then taken from the oven and crushed to a powder, and then calcined in air at 538C. for 16 hours.

A portion of the catalyst composite is placed, as a fixed bed, in an upflow reactor and contacted at reaction conditions, as specified below, with a 5095C. cut of catalytic naphtha feed.

Feed composition, process conditions and the composition of the effluent are tabulated below:

From these data it is clear that the aromatics concentration is increased at least forty-five percent, the percent concentration of olefins and diolefins in the feed decreasing in the product, while the concentration of alkyl benzenes increases from a value of 4.02 percent in the feed to 5.83 percent in the product.

In another demonstration, a 0.3 percent platinum-om magnesium chrysotile catalyst is prepared by forming a paste by admixing the magnesium chrysotile with an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid, drying same in an oven at 150C. for 16 hours. The material is calcined at 1000F. in air for 16 hours.

A portion of the catalyst composite is placed, as a fixed bed, in an upflow reactor and reduced in l atmosphere of H at l000F. The temperature is then lowered to 950F. and the gas switched to N The catalyst is then contacted with a 50-95C. cut of a cat naphtha feed.

Feed composition, process conditions and the composition of the effluent are tabulated below:

TABLE IV Process Conditions Temperature, C. 510 Pressure, psig 10 as V/V/Hr. I

Feed Liquid Product Composition, Composition, Wt. Wt. Alkylbenzenes 4.02 7.70 Polycyclics 0.27 0.61 lsoparaft'ms 39.44 37.21 n-Paraffins 1.20 7.00 Cyclic-C 10.92 [2.78 Cyclic-C 0.04 0.00 Olefins 30.40 26.40 Diolefins 13.70 B. 30

From these data it is observed that the concentration of aromatics increases from 4.02 percent in the feed to 7.70 percent in the product, an increase of approximately percent.

lSOMERlZATlON The complex metal silicates can be used as catalysts or promoters for isomerization reactions, or reactions wherein a feed which contains normal paraffins is converted to one which is enriched in isoparaffins. Notable among such isomerization reactions, and hence a preferred process, is that wherein hydrocarbon feeds or hydrocarbon-containing feed streams are treated to effect the conversion of normal C C C or C paraffins, or mixtures thereof, to their respective isomers for octane improvement. For example, n-butane can be converted to iso-butane for subsequent alkylation to produce aviation gasoline.

The isomerization process is typically carried out at temperatures ranging from about 0C. to about 450C, and preferably within the range of from about 0C. to about C. Operation at the lower temperature favors the production of higher branched, e.g., the doubly branched, isomers which are of particularly high octane values. Space velocity should range between about 1 V/V/Hr. to about l0 V/V/l-Ir., preferably between about 2 V/V/Hr. to about 5 V/V/Hr. As space velocity is increased, the yild is decreased at a given temperature. Hydrogen may be employed in the reaction, but in any event the pressure at which the isomerization reaction is carried out should range from about 0 to about 1000 psi, and preferably from about 0 to about 500 psi.

Typically, an active component such as aluminum halide is distended upon a complex metal silicate or, alternatively, a complex metal silicate having a metal hydrogenation (or dehydrogenation) component. Preferred complex metal silicates are those species which are of low sodium content and contain oxides of Group lllA metals, e.g., aluminum, and Group VIII metals, e.g., cobalt, nickel, platinum, palladium, and the like.

EXAMPLE 24 To demonstrate a typical low-temperature isomerization reaction, a first run is conducted wherein aluminum bromide is distended on a selected calcined form of chrysoile, (Mg (Ol-l) Si O positively identified by X-ray diffraction data. Thus, a hydrated magnesium chrysotile in the physical form of thin wall tubes having an average wall thickness of 30 A, an internal diameter of A, and a surface area of mlg is calcined in 19 a furnace at 540C. for 16 hours. One and sixty-eight hundredths parts by weight of the chrysotile is added per 1 part by weight of aluminum bromide to a glasslined reaction vessel, into which is also charged 5 parts from about 0.5:1 to about :1. and preferably from about 2:1 to about 5:1.

The preferred chrysotile catalysts are those of a acidic character. For best results, the chrysotile bases,

by weight of n-hexane per 1 part of aluminum bromide. 5 I l t The mixture is agitated for 4 hours at ambient temperamflgnesmn? chrysom e nickel chrysotile coba chrysotile, aluminum substituted forms of these chrysoture and autogenous pressure. The reaction product d l f the e and other mixture is then neutralized with a solution of weight or mlxe meta F 0 5 percent sodium hydroxide charged into the vessel. The metals are treated acldlc agents Such hydrogen hydrocarbon layer is separated from the vessel and anal0 fluonde, alummurn chlondfi the f' to Such lyzed by gas Chromatograph treatment, the acidic base 18 impregnated with a hydro- For comparative purposes a second run is then congenatlon Component a metal, of metals, sultably ducted at identical conditions except that unsupported a Gl' P f i p f y noble metal Such as aluminum bromide is employed in the reaction platinum, palladium, or mixture of these and other met- The composition of the various isomers in the total 15 The metal is generally added 1 the form of a Salt products and the C isomer distribution in the two difand l'educedy acldlc agents SuCh as ferent products, in terms of weight percent composidrogen chloride or hydrogen bromide are added to the tion, are given as follows: feed to maintain catalytic activity.

TABLE V First Run- First Run- Second Run- Second Run Total Prod. C6 Isomer Total Prod. C,S isomer lsomers Composition Distribution Composition Distribution n-C, 26.7 33.9 70.9 83.2 3-MP" 7.0 8.9 2.6 3.1 Z-MF 17.8 22.6 6.4 7.5 2,3-DMB 5.3 6.7 2.2 2.6 2,2-DMB" 22.0 27.9 3.1 3.6 Cracked 21.2 14.8

MP ethyl pentane "'DMB dimelhyl butane In comparing these results, it is thus apparent that the chrysotile is quite effective as a promoter, especially for the production of the high octane doubly branched 35 HYDROISOMERIZATION Hydroisomerization reactions can also be conducted with the catalyst of this invention, the purpose of such process being to convert feeds containiing high concentations of normal paraffins, particularly C and C nparaffins, to products which have been enriched in isoparaffin content. In conducting such reactions, temperatures on the order of from about 120C. to about 260C, and preferably from about 175C. to about 230C and pressures on the order of from about 50 psi to about 750 psi, and preferably from about 200 psi to about 500 psi to about 750 psi, and preferably from about 200 psi to about 500 psi, are employed. Hydrogen is fed into the reaction at a rate of from about 1000 to about 10,000 SCF/Bbl. of feed, and preferably from about 1000 to about 5000 SCF/Bbl. of feed. While space velocity, LHSV, can range from about 0.5 to about 5, it preferably ranges from about 1 to about 2. In the reaction, the feed is normally contacted with the catalyst while the former is in mixed phase-viz, liquid and gas. At constant contact time, the reaction appears favored by lower pressures, and at lower reaction temperature the selectivity of the catalyst does not appear to be affected by total reaction pressure. The hydrogen-to-hydrocarbon mole ratio should range EXAMPLE 25 For purpose of demonstrating such process, a 20% aluminum substituted form of magnesium chrysotile, in flake form with surface area of 350 m/ g, is synthesized, ciewatered by centrifugation and dried at 50C. The flakes are then slurried with a 10% aqueous solution of ammonium nitrate, acetic acid is added to provide a pH of 3.5, and the solution is then heated to 83C. and this temperature maintained for 2 hours. The product, identified as the flake form of chrysotile by X-ray diffraction, is then filtered from the solution and then impregnated with a solution of palladium tetra ammonium chloride, in concentration sufficient to provide 0.5% palladium on the finished catalyst.

The catalyst is dried at C. for 16 hours in a vacuum, then ground to a powder, and fused into pellets. The pellets are then crushed to provide particle sizes of 14-35 mesh (Tyler series). The pellets are then calcined at 430C. in a muffle furnace for 3 hours, cooled and a portion of the catalyst charged to a reactor.

Hydrogen is then cut into the reactor and the pellets reduced at 290C. for 1 hour. The temperature of the reactor is thereafter lowered to 250C, and operated at atmospheric pressure. Hydrogen is purified to remove oxygen and water at 0C., and is then passed through n-hexane, saturated, and then fed into the reactor. The effluent from the reactor is analyzed by G.C. to determine the concentration of C iso-paraffins in the product.

The results are shown as follows:

TABLE Vl-Continued mol i-C (2MP. 3 MP, 2,3-DMB, 2,2-DMB) HYDROCRACKING These novel catalysts are suitable for use in hydrocracking at relatively low temperature and relatively high pressure to provide a process of considerable flexibility in changing the ratios and character or quality of the products. Suitably, temperatures on the order of from about 250C. to about 450C, and preferably from about 350C. to about 425C., and pressures ranging from about 400 to about 3000 psi, and preferably from about 500 to about 2500 psi, are used to convert middle-boiling or high-boiling materials into high octane gasoline and jet fuel as well as for producing feedstocks for catalytic reforming. Space velocities, LHSV, can range from about 0.1 to about but preferably range from about 1 to about 3, and hydrogen gas recycle rates are generally maintained at from about 3000 to about [2,000 SCF/Bbl and preferably from about 4000 to about 8000 SCF/Bbl.

The catalysts can be used at hydrocracking conditions in both sweet (low sulfur) and sour (high sulfur) operations, or in the presence of both sulfur and nitrogen. Conditions of temperature and feed, i.e., sulfur and nitrogen, can be adjusted to maximize yields of gasoline or jet fuel.

The several types of operation for which the catalysts of this invention are useful can be illustrated in the now conventional process wherein three reactors are employed in series, a first reactor of the series constituting a hydrofiner, a second reactor of the series constituting a first stage hydrocracker, and a third reactor of the series constituting a second stage hydrocracker. In such operation, a catalyst is employed in the hydrofiner which is active in the presence of both organic sulfur and organic nitrogen and the conditions of operation are relatively mild. Cracking is held to a minimum, and both the sulfur and nitrogen are converted essentially to hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, respectively. Neither the hydrogen sulfide nor ammonia need be removed from the effluent passed from the hydrofiner to the first stage hydrocracker and hence the latter reactor is operated with sulfur and nitrogen present. The second stage hydrocracker of such reactor series can be operated sweet, by removal of the hydrogen sulfide from the effluent of the first stage hydrocracker, or sour if desired, dependent upon the nature of the catalyst employed. The catalysts of the present invention can be used in each type of operation.

The wide range of products obtainable from this process is the result of forming complex metal silicates containing selective hydrogenation components so that, in effect, dual-functional catalysts are produced. The cracking function is provided by the complex metal silicate and the hydrogenation function is pro vided by a metallic hydrogenation component, e.g., Group VlB, VIlB and VIII metals, of the Periodic Table of the Elements, such as molybdenum, tungsten, platinum, nickel, cobalt and the like.

The hydrogenation component can be a metal, or mixture of metals, e.g., a Group VIB, VIIB, or Vlll metal, impregnated or otherwise deposited onto a chrysotile base or the hydrogenation component can be incorporated into the chrysotile structure at the time of synthesis, or both. For example, preferred Group VIII noble metal components, e.g., platinum or palladium, or mixture of these and other metals, can be deposited on a magnesium, nickel, or other type of chrysotile base, or chrysotile base containing a combination of magnesium, nickel, aluminum, platinum, palladium, and the like. illustrative of preferred catalysts which are useful in hydrocracking reactions are the mixed metal chrysotiles such as, e.g., magnesium-aluminum chrysotile impregnated by palladium or platinum, or both; magnesium-nickel chrysotile impregnated by molybdenum or tungsten, or both; magnesium-tungsten chrysotile impregnated by nickel or cobalt, or both, magnesiummolybdenum chrysotile impregnated by nickel or cobalt, or both; nickel-tungsten chrysotile; cobalt-molybdenum chrysotile, and the like.

Feedstocks which can be hydrocracked contain paraffins, olefins, naphthenes and aromatics. These materials are included in virgin or previously processed refinery streams boiling above about 200C, and preferably above about 235C, e.g., light cat cycle oil boiling between about 200-3 15C., heavy cat cycle oil boiling between about 3l5425C., light virgin gas oil boiling between about 2003l5C., and heavy virgin gas oil boiling between about 3l5-540C., and higher. Examples of previously processed refinery streams include coker stocks, steam cracked stocks and cat cracker stocks.

EXAMPLES 26-37 To demonstrate the use of complex metal silicates as catalysts, for these types of hydrocracking operations, portions of freshly synthesized chrysotiles, both in the physical form of tubes and flakes are centrifuged and dewatered, tray-dried at 180C. with circulating air, positively identified by X-ray diffraction data, charged to an Iler mill and ground to a very fine powder. The initial physical fonn of the complex metal silicates, i.e., as tubes or flakes, is, of course, unaffected by milling.

The portions of powder are then exchanged with ammonium nitrate by admixing with a 10 weight percent aqueous solution of ammonium nitrate in water, the pH of which is lowered to 3.5 by addition of acetic acid. Contact between the solution and the powder is maintained for a period of 2 hours, after which time the powder is dewatered by centrifugation and washed. This exhange procedure is twice repeated.

The portions of thrice exchanged material are then used per se, or impregnated with a small concentration of metal, or metals, as hereinafter defined. lmpregnation is accomplished by dissolving sufficient of a metal salt, or salts, e.g., palladium or platinum chloride, in aqueous hydrochloric acid or ammonia to provide the desired metal concentration and then the portions of exchanged material are contacted with the solution and treated at a state of incipient wetness. The portions are then dried for 16 hours at 50C. and then mixed with sufficient of an organic binder (Sterotex) to form a 2 percent by weight mixture of Sterotex and powder. The mixture is then pilled, crushed to particles of 14-35 mesh size (Tyler series), and then calcined at 540C. to burn out the binder. Upon cooling, portions of the catalyst are charged to reactors and runs conducted in sweet and sour hydrocracking operations. In the sour hydrocracking operations, runs are made with and without added nitrogen.

After loading a reactor with catalyst, it is purged with nitrogen and then pressured to 1500 psi with hydrogen at 370C. for 2 hours. The temperature is then lowered to 2 l 5C., feed is cut in and temperature is then raised to obtain conversion of the feed to C -220C. gasoline. In the runs, the space velocity, LHSV, is maintained at about 1, pressure is maintained at about I500 psi and the hydrogen gas recycle rate at about 7000-8000 SCF/Bbl. Temperature is maintained at about 260C. for sweet hydrocracking (second stage), at about 290C. for sour hydrocracking (second stage) and at about 365C. for sour plus nitrogen hydrocracking (first stage).

The feed employed in the sweet hydrocracking runs is a hydrofined light cat cycle oil containing very little sulfur or nitrogen. A similar type of feed, spiked with sulfur or both nitrogen and sulfur, is employed in the sour hydrocracking runs. In the sour hydrocracking runs simulating first stage hydrocracking operation, the feed contains, by weight, 10,000 ppm of sulfur (thiophene) and I000 ppm of nitrogen (n-butylamine), and in the runs simulating sour second stage hydrocracking operation, the feed contains 3000 ppm sulfur (thiophene). For the runs simulating sour hydrocracking operations, the catalysts are previously sulfided by passing a light cat cycle oil feed containing 3.2 weight percent sulfur over the catalysts for a period of l6 hours at 260C.

The results of these tests are tabulated below:

TABLE VII RUNS SIMULATING FIRST STAGE HYDROCRACKING atmospheric gas oils containing from about I to about 4 weight percent sulfur, and to about 2000 ppm of nitrogen, can thus be processed to produce high concentrations of middle distillates, relative to lower boiling cracked products.

The conditions employed for mid-distillate hydrocracking are within the ranges described for hydrocracking, but temperatures are generally a little higher than required for more conventional hydrocracking. This is because the catalysts employed for mid-distillate hydrocracking have lower acidity than conventional hydrocracking catalysts. Typically, temperatures in mid-distillate hydrocracking ranges from about 370450C.

The chrysotile catalyst is prepared so that it is of intermediate acidity ranging from about 0.2 to about 0.9, and preferably from about 0.2 to about 0.5 as measured by pyridine adsorption. Pursuant to this technique, the acidity is measured by placing the catalyst on a microbalance and heating under vacuum at 427C. for 1 hour. The temperature is then lowered to 260C. and the catalyst then subjected to a pressure of 2 millimeters of pyridine. Under these conditions the catalyst takes up pyridine until equilibrium is reached. The amount of pyridine absorbed at these conditions mea sured in millimoles per gram of catalyst is taken as the measure of the acidity of the catalyst.

The chrysotile catalyst can be used in the form of tubes or flakes, but tubular forms of chrysotile are generally preferred. Preferred forms are magnesium chrysotile and nickel chrysotile. Nickel chrysotile is of particularly high activity and selectivity in conversion of hydrocarbon feeds to mid-distillate liquid products, with high ratios of middle distillates to lower boiling products. Magnesium chrysotile with l035 mole percent of the magnesium substituted by aluminum is also Example No. 26 27 preferred. Impregnated Metal Ni W I Chrysotile Base 10% W 5% Ni The catalysts are generally formed with the desired Temperature 3%" M8 2;? Mg concentrations of metals, e.g., nickel, magnesium and s f 77 160 aluminum, at the time of synthesis. Additional hydrogels nati com ents f Physical Form Flakes Tubes on pon are 0 ten added to the catalyst of Base composlte. Thus, |t is often desirable to add another Conversion to 3| 33 metal, or metals, or metal com ounds the 220C Products, P )w compos ite, e.g., by lmpregnation. Groups VIB, VIIB and VIII RUNS SIMULATING SECOND STAGE HYDROCRACKING Sweet Sour Example No. 28 29 30 3] 32 33 34 35 36 37 lmpregnated metal 0.5% Pd 0.5% Pd 0.5% Pd 0.3% Pt 0.5% Pd W Ni W W Chrysotile Base 100% Mg 8% A1 100% Ni 0.3% Pt 03% Pt 20% A1 100% Ni 10% w 5% Ni 100% Ni 92% Mg 997% 99.7% 30% Mg Mg 95% Mg Temperature, C. 375 375 375 400 400 400 375 375 375 375 Surface Area, 157 87 86 231 281 392 86 277 160 359 m'lg Physical Form Tubes Tubes Tubes Flakes Flakes Flakes Tubes Flakes Tubes Flakes of Base Conversion to 23 33 I6 37 30 35 26 47 23 26 220C. -Products.

Mid-Distillate l-Iydrocracking metals, particularly cobalt and molybdenum, and mixtures thereof, have been found particularly useful in mid-distillate hydrocracking.

EXAMPLE 38 To demonstrate mid-distillate hydrocracking with catalysts of this type, a selected species of chrysotile is synthesized as identified hereafter, a portion thereof dewatered by centrifugation, dried at 180C. in circulating air, identified by X-ray diffraction, ground to a fine powder and then impregnated by the abovedescribed incipient wetness technique with a solution of ammonium molybdate. Sufficient solution is used to provide 12.5 weight percent of the salt. calculated as molybdenum oxide, in the powder. The portion of impregnated catalyst is dried for 16 hours at 50C., then mixed with sufficient of an aqueous solution of Sterotex binder to leave a residual of 2 weight percent of the Sterotex binder in the catalyst. The portion of catalyst is then crushed and pilled to 14-35 mesh (Tyler series), and then calcined at 540C. to burn out the Sterotex binder.

A portion of the catalyst, upon cooling, is then charged to a reactor, the reactor is sealed, and pressured with hydrogen to 1500 psi. Safanaya virgin gas oil, containing about 2.5 weight percent sulfur and 500 ppm of nitrogen, and having a boiling range 340C.540C., and higher, is then cut into the reactor. To sulfide the catalyst, the reactor is initially maintained at a temperature of 335C. and after four days the catalyst is sulfided. The temperature is then increased to 420C. and a mid-distillate hydrocracking run conducted. 1n the run, the space velocity, LHSV, is maintained at about 1, hydrogen pressure at 1500 psi, and hydrogen gas recycle rate at 2000-3000 SC F/Bbl.

Vol. 7c C' -160C.

CRACKING The complex metal silicates can also be utilized as catalysts in cracking processes, or processes wherein decomposition of hydrocarbon is accomplished by contacting suitable hydrocarbon feeds with a catalyst at elevated temperatures. The purpose of cracking is generally to produce gasoline or heating oils from higher boiling hydrocarbon fractions, though specific gaseous hydrocarbons such as ethylene, propylene, butylene, isobutylene, or the like, can be recovered, if desired. Suitable feedstocks for cracking are those boiling above about 260C, this including virgin or treated stocks and atmospheric or vacuum gas oils boiling up to about 600C. At times, gasoline boiling range materials, or residuum boiling above 600C, are cracked.

When using these novel catalysts, catalytic cracking is carried out at substantially atmospheric pressure or at somewhat elevated pressure, e.g., up to about 50 psi, and at temperatures ranging from about 400 to about 650C, and preferably from about 475C. to about 550C, usually in fluid or moving catalyst beds. in

once-through operation, about 30-60% conversion is usually obtained, and generally some of the unconverted material boiling above about 220C. is recycled to increase gasoline yield.

Illustrative of preferred catalysts useful in catalytic cracking reactions are, e.g., magnesium chrysotile and mixed metal modifications such as magnesiumaluminum chrysotile. To illustrate the use of complex metal silicates generally for use in a catalytic cracking process, the following selected data are given.

EXAMPLE 40 To demonstrate the advantages of such composite catalysts, a portion of the basic chrysotile material (20 mole Al, mole Mg flakes), as synthesized, is dewatered by centrifugation, dried at 180C. in air, identified by X-ray diffraction, and then mixed or co-gelled, in weight proportions, with an amorphous catalyst 13% alumina and 87% silica) sufficient to provide 15% of the chrysotile in the finished catalyst. Such gel is then spray dried to form 4060 micron spherical particles.

A portion of the catalyst is charged to a fluid bed reactor. Steam is introduced for two minutes to strip the catalyst and purge the reactor of air. A vaporized feed of East Texas light gas oil, boiling between 340-455C., is then passed over the catalyst for 2 minutes at a reactor temperature of 510C. The feed is introduced at sufficient space velocity to obtain 60% conversion. The higher boiling products of the reaction are condensed and collected while the incondensed light gas is directly measured and analyzed by Mass Spectrometry. The condensed products are measured by Gas Chromatography. A sample of the catalyst is removed to measure the carbon content.

Standard commercially used silica-alumina and zeolite cracking catalysts are run under identical conditions, and the results of these runs compared as tabulated below:

TABLE X 20% Alumina Flakes Silica- (15% Chrysotile- Catalyst Alumina Zeolite Silica-Alumina) W/H/W 1.6 17.1 10.2 Conversion, 60 60 60 Yield, Wt.% Coke 4.7 0.5 2.8 C 1 1.5 5.3 9.6 C, 12.2 8.1 11.8 C,-220C. 31.7 46.2 35.8

EXAMPLE 40 A run is made, similar in all respects to that made pursuant to Example 39, except that essentially pure magnesium chrysotile in flake form with surface area of 410 m /g is incorporated within the silica alumina matrix. This catalyst is also quite active for cracking reactions.

EXAMPLES 4l-44 The following illustrative data demonstrate the efficacy of a magnesium chrysotile catalyst wherein certain molar concentrations of the magnesium have been substituted or replaced by aluminum in the basic chrysotile structure. On the one hand, as will be observed from the following data, a or 35% replacement of the magnesium has little effect on the cracking activity of the catalyst, and a 50% replacement of the magnesium by aluminum has virtually no effect. On the other hand, a substitution of the magnesium metal by aluminum metal produces considerable activity.

in preparation of the catalysts, aluminum chloride hexahydrate and magnesium chloride hexahydrate, in varying concentrations, are dissolved in water to provide the desired concentration of aluminum metal relative to the concentration of magnesium. Ludox (or silica sol), and then sodium hydroxide, is then added to the mixtures to gel the silica and precipitate the magnesium, alumina and silica. Crystallization is then accomplished by heating at 250C. for 24 hours. The several portions of catalyst are then dewatered by centrifugation, dried at 180C, identified by X-ray diffraction, powdered, pressed on a hydraulic ram, the compacted forms of catalyst then crushed to 14-35 mesh (Tyler series), and then calcined at 540C. for 16 hours.

The portions of catalyst are then charged to reactors, and the temperature adjusted to 280C. A stream of helium is then passed through a saturator filled with cumene at 18C. and then passed at 0.3 W/W/l-lr. into the reactor and contacted with the catalyst. The effluent from the reactor is then analyzed by Gas Chromatography to determine the amount of conversion of the cu mene to benzene and propylene.

The results are tabulated below:

"All catalysts are flakes. First order rate constant for cumene cracking reaction. '"W/HL/W 0.} Temp. 280C.

HYDROGENATION (HYDROFINING) An important application of the complex metal silicates of the present invention involves hydrogen saturation of unsaturated hydrocarbons such as aromatics and olefins, including monoolefins and polyolefins, whether straight chain or branched chain, and whether substituted or unsubstituted. In fuels processing the saturation of lower molecular weight olefins having a carbon content ranging from about 2 to about 12, and preferably from about 2 to about 6, is generally of greatest importance. For example, butylene polymers and light catalytically cracked naphtha, steam cracked naphtha, and the like, can be hydrogenated to produce aviation gasoline components. in hydrogenation, hydrogen atoms are directly added to unsaturated bonds of the material being processed. Other important applications of hydrogenation of which the present catalysts are suitable include refinement of lube oil distillates, production of high quality diesel oils, heating oils, and kerosene. The catalysts are also suitable for use in re moval of organic nitrogen and sulfur to improve the color and stability of various products, e.g., heating oils.

The preferred chrysotile catalysts are those forms of high surface area, preferably flake forms ranging in surface area from about 250 m /g to about 500 m /g, and higher. The catalyst used in such reactions is preferably one of mild acidity, and while the hydrogenation component can be incorporated into the chrysotile structure at the time of its formation, by ion exchange or by impregnation, or deposited thereon as by impregnation, it has been found that incorporation of the hydrogenation component into the structure provides better dispersion of the metal, or mixture of metals. Such catalyst is thus more stable, there is less tendency of the metals to agglomerate, and better dispersion is maintained throughout the reaction. Activity maintenance is generally superior.

Preferred metals for incorporation, or deposition, but preferably for incorporation ab initio within the chrysotile structure are those of Groups VlB, VllB and VIII, of the Periodic Table of the Elements, including, e.g., chromium, cobalt, molybdenum, rhenium, cobalt, nickel, platinum, palladium, or mixtures of these and other metals.

Hydrogenation reactions are generally conducted at temperatures ranging from about 50C. to about 450C, preferably from about 150C. to about 350C, and at pressures ranging from about psi to about 3000 psi, preferably from about 200 psi to about 500 psi. Space velocities, LHSV, generally range from about 0.5 to about 5, and preferably from about 1 to about 2. Hydrogen is generally introduced at a rate of from about 300 to about 5000 SCF/Bbl., and preferably from about 500 to about 3000 SCF/Bbl.

EXAMPLES 4547 To demonstrate the high activity of chrysotiles as hydrogenation catalysts, a series of selected data are set out below. The data show a series of runs wherein nickel chrysotile flakes per se are used as a catalyst for hydrogenation of benzene. A comparative run is also described using similar nickel chrysotile flakes, to which tungsten has been added. A third run is also described wherein 20 mole aluminum substituted magnesium chrysotile flakes is employed, to which palladium has been additionally added by impregnation. These catalysts are prepared and identified in the same manner as those used and previously described as hydrocracking catalysts. All of these runs are compared with a conventional commercial platinum-on-alumina catalyst, consisting of purchased l/ 16-inch extrudates crushed to 14-35 mesh (Tyler series).

In the runs, the catalysts are charged to the reactors and pretreated with hydrogen at 370C. for 16 hours to assure complete reduction of the catalyst. This flow is then terminated. Hydrogen is then passed through benzene at 18C. to saturate the hydrogen stream, and the stream is then passed into the respective reactor at the temperature indicated, and at a rate of l W/Hr./W. The pressure is maintained at atmospheric. The effluent from the individual reactors is analyzed by Gas Chromatography to determine the amount of conversion of benzene to cyclohexane.

The results are tabulated below:

tion are generally similar except the temperature employed is about 50 centigrade degrees less at either start-of-run or at end-of-run conditions.

'Flrst order rate constant for benzene hydrogenation.

These data clearly show that these catalysts possess very good hydrogenation activity, this being true not only of chrysotiles wherein the hydrogenation component is deposited or impregnated into the structure, but also for chrysotiles wherein the hydrogenation component is incorporated ab initio into the structure.

HYDRODESU LFURIZATION The catalysts of this invention are particularly applicable for use in processes for hydrodesulfurization of hydrocarbons, especially heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks having an initial boiling point of about 340C, a fifty percent point of at least about 400C, and higher, e.g., atmospheric gas oils, vacuum gas oils, atmospheric residuums, and the like. The catalysts are suitable for direct or indirect hydrodesulfurization reactions. Certain of these catalysts, having pore sizes ranging from about 30 A to about 120 A diameter, have thus been found particularly useful for directly treating feedstocks which contain metal-bearing asphaltenes, materials normally found in residuals, which normally poison and deactivate hydrodesulfurization catalysts. Indirect hydrodesulfurization of feedstocks can also be accomplished by distilling out gas oil fractions from a heavier residual, treating the gas oil to remove sulfur, and then blending the desulfurized gas oil with the untreated residuum. The composite product, of course, contains less sulfur than prior to such treating and blending. Typically, e.g., a fuel oil containing 2-3 percent by weight sulfur can thus be treated to meet specifications requiring a maximum sulfur content of 0.5 percent by weight sulfur.

in direct treatment of hydrocarbon feedstocks, e.g., in a fixed bed or ebullating bed, it is generally preferred to operate, at the start of the run, at temperatures of about 340C. to about 390C, and at temperatures ranging from about 390C. to about 490C. at end-of run conditions. The pressures employed usually range from about 300 psi to about 3000 psi, and preferably from about 800 psi to about 1500 psi. Hydrogen rates range generally from about 500 SCF/Bbl. to about 10,000 SCF/BbL, and preferably from about I000 SCF/Bbl. to about 5000 SCF/Bbl. The liquid hourly space velocities, LHSV, range generally from about 0.1 to about l0, and preferably from about 1 to about 3. The conditions employed for indirect dehydrosulfuriza- The hydrodesulfurization catalyst is generally comprised of a composite which includes a chrysotile base and a hydrogenation component, viz., a metal, a metal oxide or a metal suflide, wherein the metal is from Groups VIB, Vlll, or both, of the Periodic Table of the Elements. Theconcentration of the metal, or mixture of metals incorporated within the chrystotile base can vary widely, dependent on the nature of the hydrogenation component and feedstock. The metal, or mixture of metals, of which cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, and nickel are preferred, is generally incorporated within the base in concentration ranging from about 0.1 to about 25 percent by weight, and preferably from about 0.3 to about 15 percent by weight, of the total composite. When hydrogenation components such as the oxides or sulfides of cobalt and molybdenum are utilized, the concentration will be generally 1 to 5% and 5 to l5%, respectively, based on the total weight of the composite. The chrysotile base, e.g., magnesium chrysotile, nickel chrysotile, or either, wherein the magnesium or nickel is substituted in part by aluminum, is preferably one of pore size ranging betwen about 30 A and 120 A diameter. Tubes of pore size ranging between about A and A diameter, and flakes ranging between about 30 A and 80 A diameter, particularly the former, are most preferred. Chrysotiles of such pore sizes are readily formed and pore sizes readily controlled, within close limits, pursuant to the present inventive process.

To demonstrate the present porcess, a series of data is selected and set forth below.

EXAMPLES 48-53 A series of catalysts, as described herafter, is synthesized, dewatered, dried, identified by X-ray diffraction, ground to a fine powder and impregnated by incipient wetness technique. The catalysts are the dried, admixed with an organic binder, pilled, crushed to 14-35 mesh (Tyler series) and calcined to burn out the organic binder. The catalysts are then charged to reactors and sulfided at 335C, all as described with reference to the catalysts used for mid-distillate hydrocracking, supra.

The temperature of operation is maintained at 335C. and the pressure at i500 psi. The sulfur-bearing feed is introduced to the reactors at a rate of l V/V/Hr. and hydrogen at a rate of 2000 to 3000 SCF/Bl.

The results of these runs are tabulated below:

TABLE XIII Example No. 48 49 50 51 52 53 impregnated Co/Mo Co/Mo M M0 M0 Co/Mo Metals chrysotile 100% Mg 8% A1 5% Ni 100% Ni 100% Ni Al Base 92% Mg 95% Mg 80% Mg Surface 147 87 160 86 359 392 Area, mlg Physical Tubes Tubes Tubes Tubes Flakes Flakes Form of Chrysotile Average ll0 A 225 A 115 A 180 A 32 A 85 A Pore Size of Openings Sulfur 1.05 1.29 1.17 1.20 1.06 1.12 in Product Sulfur 59.5 50.2 54.8 53.9 59.1 56.7 Removal 'Calculated by 4(Pore Volume )[Surface Area.

HYDRODENITROGENATION 20 ployed, the amount will generally range from about 0.1

Chrysotiles are suitable for conducting hydrodenitrogenation processes, or processes for treating feedstocks containing organic nitrogen compounds, under conditions such that the nitrogen content is significantly reduced. Feedstocks which can be processed are nitrogen-bearing virgin and cracked stocks boiling above 180C, typical among which are light and heavy cat cracker stocks, coker gas oils, middle distillates and virgin gas oils. Middle distillates or heavy cat cycle stocks which can be processed are those boiling from about 220C. to about 340C, or lighter stocks boiling in the range of from about 220C. to about 290C., gas oils boiling above about 340C, e.g., light gas oils boiling within the range of from about 340C. to about 450C, and heavy gas oils boiling within the range of from about 450C. to about 540C, and higher.

Suitable hydrodenitrogenation catalysts are formed by compositing a chrysotile base and a hydrogenation component, particularly one selected from Group VIB, VIIB and VIII metals, or mixtures of these and other metals, of the Periodic Table of the Elements. Representative of these metals are molybdenum, chromium, tungsten, rhenium, iron, cobalt and nickel and metals of the platinum group, e.g., platinum and palladium, as well as combinations of these metals, their oxides, or sulfides. Particularly desirable metal oxides are the oxides of nickel and cobalt, and a particularly desirable combination of such oxides is that of the oxides of nickel and molybdenum, such oxides being readily combinable with chrysotile as by impregnation thereon.

The amount of the hydrogenation component combined with the chrysotile base can vary widely and will depend on the feedstock as well as on the particular nature of the hydrogenation component. Generally, the amount of the component will vary from about 0.1 to about by weight, based on the total weight of the to 5%. When hydrogenation components such as the oxides and sulfides molybdenum, cobalt, tungsten, chromium, iron and nickel are employed, the amount will generally range from about 2 to 25%, and when the oxides of nickel and molybdenum are employed, the amount will range generally from about 1 to 5%, and 5 to 15%, respectively. A composite of about 3 weight nickel oxide and 10 weight molybdenum oxide is particularly suitable.

Particularly preferred chrysotiles for use as bases include, e.g., magnesium chrysotile, nickel chrysotile, cobalt chrysotile and the various forms thereof wherein these metals are substituted by aluminum.

Hydrodenitrogenation operations are generally conducted at pressures ranging from about 500 psi to about 2000 psi, and preferably from about 800 psi to about 1500 psi, at hydrogen gas rates ranging from about 1000 SCF/Bbl. to about 10,000 SCF/Bbl., and preferably from about 1000 SCF/Bbl. to about 5000 SCF/Bb 1 and at superficial liquid hourly space velocities, LI-ISV, ranging from about 1 to about 5, and preferably from about 1 to about 2. Temperatures generally range from about 350C. to about 390C. at start-0F run conditions and from about 390C. to about 430C. at end-of-run conditions.

EXAMPLES 5459 To demonstrate the hydrodenitrogenation process, a series of catalysts is prepared as in those runs demonstrated by reference to preceding Examples 48-53. These catalysts, identified in the table immediately below, are employed to process a nitrogen-bearing feed fed into the reactors at a rate of 1 V/V/l-Ir. with hydrogen at a rate of 2000 to 3000 SCF/Bl. of feed. A 1500 psi pressure is maintained in reactors which are operated at 377C.

composite. When a metal of the platinum series is em- The results are tabulated below:

TABLE XIV Example No. 54 55 56 57 58 59 impregnated Co/Mo Co/Mo M0 M0 Mo Co/Mo Metals Chrysotile 100% Mg 8% Al 5% Ni 100% Ni 100% Ni 20% Al Base 92% Mg 95% Mg 80% Mg Surface 147 87 I 86 359 392 Area,

TABLE XlV-Continued Example No. 54 55 56 57 58 59 Physical Tubes Tubes Tubes Tubes Flakes Flakes Form of chrysotile ppm Nitrogen 363 262 9.6 36 in Product 2 Nitrogen 40.0 27.4 47.6 98.l 92.8 89.9 Removal REFORMING erably in concentration ranging from about 0.3 to

The complex metal silicates are also suitable for conducting reforming, or for use in a process wherein naphtha is catalytically converted in an atmosphere rich in hydrogen to upgrade the naphtha to products of higher octane. The principal reactions which occur in reforming are dehydrogenation of naphthenes to form aromatics, dehydrocyclization of paraffins to form aromatics, isomerization of n-paraffins to form isoparaffins and ring isomerization.

Reforming is generally conducted at temperatures ranging from about 400C. to about 550C, and preferably from about 450 to about 500C. and at pressure ranging from about 150 psi to about 550 psi, preferably from about 250 psi to about 475 psi. Hydrogen rates range generally from about 3000 SCF/Bbl. to about [0,000 SCF/Bbl., and preferably from about 5000 SCF/Bl. to about 8000 SCF/Bbl. and the superficial liquid hourly space linear velocity, LHSV, ranges from about 1 to about 5, and preferably from about 2 to about 4.

The feedstocks employed in these reactions are naphthas boiling within the gasoline range, suitably heavy naphthas boiling in the range of from about 93l 90C. or light napthas boiling in the range of from about C 93C. Naphthenic feeds are more easily reformed, while paraffinic feeds are the more difficult to reform. In selection of a suitable catalyst, a chief consideration, therefore, is to find a catalyst capable of synthesizing aromatics from paraffins and olefins, but particularly from naphthenes. The complex metal silicates of the present invention can be readily modified to produce such reforming activity.

Catalysts found useful in reforming are composites formed from a chrysotile base and a hydrogenation component, the latter being deposited as by impregnation upon the base. Suitable bases are constituted of magnesium chrysotile, nickel chrysotile, and mixed metal modifications of these and other chrysotiles, particularly chrysotiles wherein magnesium and nickel are partially replaced or substituted by aluminum. Suitable hydrogenation components, which can be incorporated into the chrysotile structure in original synthesis or deposited thereon as by impregnation, are the Group VlB, V118 and VI" metals of the Periodic Table of the Elements, preferred of which are the Group VIII platinum group metals, e.g., platinum, palladium and the like, or mixtures of these with other metals such as rhemum.

Suitably, the hydrogenation component, a metal or mixture of metals, is incorporated or added to the base in concentration ranging from about 0.1 to about 5 percent, based on the weight of the total catalyst, and prefabout l percent. In addition, the composite can contain from about 0.1 to about 1 percent of halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine.

EXAMPLES 60-65 To demonstrate the suitability of chrysotiles for use in the formation of reforming catalysts, a series of chrysotiles of varying composition are synthesized, dewatered, dried, identified by X-ray diffraction and ground to a fine powder.

According to a first technique, two catalysts are prepared for use in Examples 60-6l, and a second technique is used to prepare the catalysts used in EXAM- PLES In accordance with the first technique, a first portion of the dry chrysotile powder is slurried in an aqueous solution of tetra amine platinic chloride to exchange platinum onto the surface of the chrysotile. The second catalyst is similarly treated except that a small amount of platinum is added to the chrysotile base at the time of synthesis, and the chrysotile then impregnated with an aqueous solution of perrhenic acid to form a platinum-rhenium catalyst. The impregnated catalysts are filtered from the solution, dewatered by centrifugation and dried for 16 hours at C. in a vacuum.

The impregnated dried catalysts are then mixed with 2 weight of an organic binder, i.e, Sterotex, pilled, crushed to 14-35 mesh (Tyler series) and then calcined in air at 510C. to burn out the binder. The catalyst is then charged to reactors, stripped with nitrogen and then reduced with hydrogen for 1 hour at 5 l0C. and 200 psi.

in accordance with the second procedure, for preparation of catalysts for use in Examples 62-65, the catalysts are prepared in generally similar manner except that a platinum impregnation is performed after the or ganic binder is burned from the catalyst. The portions of catalyst are impregnated by admixing the aqueous solutions of chloroplastinic acid to the point of incipi ent wetness to effect the impregnation. The catalysts are then dried in air for l6 hours at 105C., calcined in air at 510C, charged to the reactors and then stripped with nitrogen, and then reduced with hydrogen for l hour at 510C. and 200 psi.

A naphtha of 52 RON (clear) is then cut into the reactors at a temperature of 5 l0C. and at a feed rate of 4-7 W/Hr./W. The runs are conducted for a period of 16 hours and a material balance is taken over the period. Analysis is made of the product to determine RON (clear) as well as the chlorine and carbon contents of the catalyst.

The results are given as tabulated below:

TABLE XV Example No. 60 61 62 63 64 6S impregnated Pt Re Pt Pt Pt Pt Metal Chloride on Low High Catalyst Chrsotile 20% Al 03% Pt Mg 0.3% Re 20% Al l0% Cr Base 80% Mg 997% Mg 99.7% Mg 80% Mg 90% Mg W/H/W 4.0 6.9 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 Temp. C. 510 Product 60.4 80.0 86.0 83.0 71.0 77.0 Octane (RON Clear) Relative 22 97 46 41 22 27 Activity,%'

'"All flake material, "000% Relative Activity chlorine and car on on catalyst).

Various other hydrocarbon conversion reactions can be conducted by utilizing, directly or indirectly, the complex metal silicates of this invention. A typical utilization for these catalysts involves alkylation, hydrodealkylation and polymerization reactions. Onesuch utilization is exemplified in an alkylation process wherein high octane blending agents are produced by the reaction and resultant combination of C C or C olefins or mixtures of these olefins with isobutane. It is also feasible, however, for olefins to be added to aromatic ring-containing compounds in an ionic-type reaction mechanism.

Typical of the feedstocks used in the alkylation process are iso-C C paraffins and gaseous C -C olefins, or aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and substituted benzene, e.g., phenols and chlorobenzene, and gaseous and liquid C -C olefins. The alkylation process is conducted at temperatures ranging from about 20C. to about 300C, preferably at temperatures ranging from about 50C. to about 100C, at pressure of atmospheric to about i000 psi, and preferably from about atmospheric to about 700 psi.

Illustrative of catalysts which are useful in conducting alkylation reactions are magnesium chrysotile flakes, where part of the Mg is replaced by aluminum.

Hydrodealkylation processes can also be conducted using the complex metal silicates of this invention. A typical hydrodealkylation process is exemplified by removal of one or more alkyl groups from alkyl aryls, e.g., alkylbenzenes or alkyl naphthalenes, to produce high-grade benzene or naphthalene as an end product. Benzene is mostly produced from toluene, although the alkylbenzenes can be dealkylated stepwise to yield benzene. Most naphthalene feedstocks contain substantial quantities of alkylbenzenes, indanes, tetrahydro naphthalenes, indenes, biphenyl, and acetnaphthenes. The process is carried out in the presence of hydrogen which is consumed. Typical conditions to produce benzene include from about 540 to about 650C, from about 500 to about 800 psi, from about 5 to about 10 mol ratio of H to feed, and from about 0.25 to about 2.5 W/Hr./W. For naphthalene product, typical conditions are from about 540 to about 650C, from about 600 to about 800 psi, from about 5 to about mol ratio of H to feed and from about 0.1 to about 2.5 W/Hr./W.

Typical of the catalysts that can be used for hydrodealkylation are magnesium, nickel, and cobalt chrysotile flakes, particularly where part of the cation is substi tuted by aluminum. These chrysotile bases can be imactivity of standard 0.3% Pt on AI,O, reforming catalyst (activity corrected for pregnated by metlas such as platinum, palladium, cobalt, molybdenum, chromium, nickel, or mixtures thereof.

These catalysts are also suitable for conducting polymerization reactions, typical among which are those wherein low molecular weight gaseous and liquid olefins, including C -C olefins, are polymerized to low molecular weight products boiling in the gasoline range and useful as high octane number gasoline and petrochemical intermediates. The polymerization process is preferably carried out at temperatures raning from about 0 to about 300C, and preferably at temperatures ranging from about 20C. to about 200C. Pressures generally range from atmospheric to about 3000 psi, and preferably from atmospheric to about 1500 psi. Suitable space velocities range from about I V/v/Hr. to about 10 V/V/Hr., and preferably from about 2 to about 4 V/V/Hr.

Typical of the catalysts which can be used in polymerization reactions are magnesium chrysotile flakes, when part of the magnesium is replaced by aluminum.

It is also apparent that various modifications and changes can be made in adaption of these complex metal silicates, and chrysotiles, for use in hydrocarbon conversion reactions within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Among such modifications and changes:

Chrysotiles, e.g., can be treated or modified to improve their catalytic or adsorption properties in much the same manner as other catalytic materials. For example, the metallic cation population can be modified by base exchange, i.e., contact with an ionic solution of the cation to be added to the chrysotile base. It is also known that contact with ammonium salt solutions reduces the alkali metal cations by exchange. In a similar manner the metal cations, including magnesium and aluminum, can be reduced by treatment with acids, the acid form of cation exchange resins, or chelating agents. Conversely, the silica content of synthetic chrysotiles can be reduced by treating with strong caustic solutions, if desired.

Chrysotiles, e.g., can be dispersed in matrices of inorganic oxides such as silica, alumina, combinations thereof or in naturally-occurring materials such as kaolin. The matrix material may be inert chemically or have an activity which is complementary to the activity of the chrysotile. The matrix may serve the additional function of stabilizing the chrystolie component to the environment of the reaction or of a binder to form the 

1. A PROCESS FOR IMPROVING THE OCTANE QUALITY OF NAPHTHAS COMPRISING CONTACTING THE SAID NAPHTHA AT REFORMING CONDITIONS INCLUDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM ABOUT 400*C TO ABOUT 550*C AND PRESSURES RANGING FROM ABOUT 150 PSI TO ABOUT 550 PSI WITH A CATALYST COMPOSITE INCLUDING A CHRYSOTILE COMPONENT AND A METAL HYDROGENATION COMPONENT, SAID CHRYSOTILE COMPONENT COMPRISING A LAYERED COMPLEX METAL SILICATE COMPOSITION CHARACTERIZED AS HAVING REPEATING UNITS DEFINED BY THE FOLLOWING STRUCTUREL FORMULA:
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the metal hydrogenation component is one selected from Group V B, VIIB and VIII metals, and mixtures thereof, of the Periodic Table of the Elements.
 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the hydrogenation component comprises a platinum group metal.
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein the chrysotile component contains platinum.
 5. The process of claim 1 wherein the chrysotile component is in the physical form of tubes, and the surface area of the tubes ranges from about 55 m2/g to about 250 m2/g.
 6. The process of claim 1 wherein the chrysotile component is in the physical form of flakes, and the surface area of the flakes ranges from about 250 m2/g to about 500 m2lg.
 7. The process of claim 1 wherein the chrysotile component contains from about 8 to about 20 weight percent aluminum.
 8. The process of claim 1 wherein M and M of the composition are selected from magnesium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, palladium, platinum and aluminum.
 9. The process of claim 1 wherein the effective ionic radius of the metal cations of the composition ranges from about 0.57 to about 0.91A.
 10. The process of claim 1 wherein the said composition contains at least two metals.
 11. The process of claim 1 wherein the composition is bimetallic.
 12. The process of claim 11 wherein the metals of the composition are selected from magnesium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, palladium, platinum and aluminum.
 13. The process of claim 1 wherein the said composition is in the physical form of tubes, characterized as having walls ranging from about 30A to about 50A, and internal openings of diameter ranging from about 60A to about 150A.
 14. The process of claim 1 wherein the surface area of the compositions ranges to about 250 m2/g.
 15. The process of claim 1 wherein the said composition is in the physical form of flakes, of thickness ranging from about 15A to about 50A.
 16. The process of claim 15 wherein the surface area of the flakes ranges from about 250A to about 600A, and higher.
 17. The process of claim 1 wherein x of the chrysotile composition which is a number expressing the atomic fraction of M and M ranges from 0.01 to 0.50, a which expresses the valence of M is equal to 2, b which expresses the valence of M is an integer ranging from 1 to 7, n is a number ranging from 2.5 to 3.3, ang w is a number ranging from 0 to
 4. 18. The process of claim 17 wherein M and M are selected from magnesium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, palladium, platinum and aluminum.
 19. The process of claim 17 wherein the effective ionic radius of M and M ranges from about 0.57 to about 0.91A.
 20. The process of claim 17 wherein x is a number ranging from 0.03 to 0.20, and n is a number ranging from 2.7 to 3.0.
 21. The process of claim 20 wherein M and M are selected from magnesium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, palladium, platinum and aluminum.
 22. The process of claim 21 wherein the efFective ionic radius of M and M ranges from about 0.57 to about 0.91A.
 23. The process of claim 17 wherein b is an integer ranging from 2 to
 4. 24. The process of claim 17 wherein the composition is bimetallic.
 25. The process of claim 24 wherein the metals are selected from magnesium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, palladium, platinum and aluminum.
 26. The process of claim 17 wherein the said composition is in the physical form of tubes, characterized as having walls ranging from about 30A to about 50A, and internal openings of diameter ranging from about 60A to about 160A.
 27. The process of claim 26 wherein the surface area of the compositions ranges to about 250 m2/g.
 28. The process of claim 17 wherein the said composition is in the physical form of flakes, of thickeness from about 15A to about 50A.
 29. The process of claim 28 wherein the surface area of the flakes ranges from about 250A to about 600A, and higher.
 30. The process of claim 17 wherein said chrysotile composition is in the physical form of tubes having an X-ray powder diffraction pattern substantially the same as follows:
 31. The process of claim 17 wherein the said composition is in the physical form of flakes, of thickness ranging from about 15A to about 50A.
 32. The process of claim 31 wherein the surface area of the flakes ranges from about 250 m2/g to about 600 m2/g, and higher.
 33. The process of claim 17 wherein said chrysotile composition is in the physical form of flakes having an X-ray powder diffraction pattern substantially the same as follows: 